Amphora portrait vase may see $5,000

MONROVIA, Calif. – An Amphora portrait vase is one of the many lots in John Moran Auctions' Decorative Art Auction. The firm is offering Asian objects alongside Continental objects and paintings, silver and porcelain during the Nov. 15 sale.

Highlights include Buddhist gilt-bronze figures, porcelain by Sevres and a curated selection of European works of art.

One of the catalog’s centerpieces is a Chinese export automaton clock. The piece features an ornate mother-of-pearl-inlaid case and three diminutive automaton figures ($10,000-$15,000).

Continental porcelain includes Sevres porcelain, as well as an extensive Royal Crown Derby “Old Imari” china service for 12. Featuring standard place settings along with a number of serving pieces, the set has been assigned a conservative $2,000 to $3,000 estimate. In addition to a larger group of Royal Copenhagen “Flora Danica” porcelain ($4,000-$6,000), a seldom-offered “Flora Danica” tea service for two will be brought to the block ($1,500-$2,500). The Art Nouveau RStK Amphora portrait vase adorned with a moth and thistle motif is offered with a $3,000 to $5,000 estimate.

A large 19th century Chinese silk embroidery panel densely decorated with birds and foliage is sure to amass a following; this excellent example of Cantonese workmanship is offered for $3,000 to $5,000. A Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of the bodhisattva Chenrezig dating to the 19th century is also sure to turn some heads. It has a pre-auction estimate of $8,000 to $10,000). Turning to Japanese offerings, a 1930s black lacquer zushi/traveling shrine with a richly decorated interior fitted with a figure of the bodhisattva Kannon may exceed expectations; the zushi has been assigned a conservative $1,000 to $2,000 pre-sale estimate. An Edo period six-panel folding byōbu floor screen dating to the 18th century or earlier is adorned with a sprawling view of Mount Fuji, fishermen and huts nestled against the expanse of a pine forest; the screen is expected to bring $3,000 to $5,000.

Silver and objects of vertu range from Art Deco examples to objects crafted by 19th century mainstays. Those looking to add a bit of drama to their Thanksgiving table should be intrigued by a large-scale Christofle silver-plated mirrored table plateau($6,000-$8,000).

— French red leather-bound Royal Almanac dating to 1762, containing the order of precedence, members of the royal family, the astrological calendar, the members of various courts, military and banks,has been assigned a $2,000 to $3,000 estimate.
• Chinese export white jade-mounted silver hand mirror dating to the late 19th century was consigned from a Los Angeles collection, and sure to spark interest with a conservative $1,200 to $1,800 estimate.
— Room-sized Persian Serapi carpet, circa 1900, finely decorated throughout with abstracted foliate designs, estimated to bring $10,000 to $15,000.

Moran’s Nov. 15 Decorative Art Auction is slated to begin at 4 p.m. Pacific, with the uncataloged Discovery Session commencing at approximately 7 p.m.

For more information, contact John Moran Auctioneers directly at info@johnmoran.com or 626-793-1833.